14 Fun Facts for National Cat Day

October 29th is National Cat Day. If you’re a cat lover you probably think every day should be a national holiday devoted to these wondrous animals. But do you really know just how cool cats actually are?

To celebrate National Cat Day, we wanted to share 14 fun facts about cats:

Your Cat is Mostly a Tiger

Inside every cat is a tiger lurking. Well, sort of. Domestic cats’ genome is actually 95.6% tiger. And they actually share quite a few behaviors with their jungle ancestors. For instance, prey play, scent marking by scratching, pouncing and urine marking are all things tigers also do in the wild.

No Sweet Tooth

It is thought that cats are the only mammals that cannot taste sweetness. While a dog may be more than happy to grab a piece of your french toast or apple pie, cats really couldn’t be bothered.

Cats are Bionic

Okay not really. But they can perform physical feats that are almost not to be believed. For instance, cats can jump up to six times their length. That’s like a 6-foot tall man getting to the top of a three-story building in one jump. Incredible!

Cats Can Taste the Air

Have you ever noticed that sometimes your cat has their mouth slightly open and a look on their face that suggests they are in deep thought? They are actually tasting the air. Cats have an extra organ that allows them to taste scents on the air. In the wild this would help a cat hunt as well as avoid being hunted.

Many Toes!

Most cats have 18 toes, four on each front leg and five on the back. Some cats have more than 18 toes. These cats are referred to as polydactyl.

Cats are Crepuscular

You probably know cats are spectacular animals, but did you know they are also crepuscular (go ahead – try to say it)? This is a fancy word that means an animal that is most active at dawn and at dusk.

The Green Cat from Denmark

In 1995, a green cat was born in Denmark. Many believe it was the high levels of copper in the water pipes that may have given his fur this tint.

Cats are Fastidious

Cats are clean animals. They like their bathroom (litterbox) to be very clean. If you have more than one cat in your home, you’ll want to provide at least one litter box for each of them.

Cats are also constantly grooming themselves. In fact, it is believed that cats spend up to a third of their waking hours grooming. Imagine spending a third of your day in the shower!

But what’s super cool is that cat grooming is about more than just keeping themselves clean. Grooming stimulates blood flow to the skin, which helps your cat regulate her body temperature. Grooming is also a natural process that helps your cat relax.

The Sweet Cat Blink

Cats show their affection in many ways. One of the most common is through what is known as ‘the slow blink.’ This movement shows contentment and trust. You can also slow blink when looking at your cat. She’ll most likely slow blink right back and that is equivalent to a kitty kiss.

The Richest Cat in the World

Nope, it’s not the Cat in the Hat, it was a cat named Tomasso. In 2011, Tomasso’s wealthy owner, Maria Assunta, left her entire $13 million fortune to her fur baby when she died. Think of how much Fancy Feast that could buy!

Cats Have a Big Vocabulary

Cats have a unique vocabulary, meaning each cat has its own sounds it makes. In addition, cats have up to 100 different vocalizations they use. Compare this to dogs who only generally have 10.

Presenting Their Butt

You may have wondered why your cat will sometimes step in front of you, turn around and present her behind? It’s a gesture of trust and friendship.

Stubbs the Mayor Cat

Stubs was an orange tabby cat who became honorary mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska from 1997 until his death in 2017. 

Hey, I’m Talking to YOU!

When we think of cats, we instantly think “meow.” Meowing is something cats developed as a way to communicate exclusively with human beings.

A Not So Fun Fact

We adore our cats and take the very best care of them. But the fact is, cats are still able to become very sick or injured. This can result in some very expensive veterinary treatments. Do you realistically have thousands of dollars to cover an unexpected vet bill?

Pet insurance gives pet parents peace of mind and allows you to focus on your fur baby’s health instead of worrying about how you will get her the help she needs.

Here are the tp pet insurance providers in the country based on real reviews from pet parents just like you:

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.